Page:Etta Block - One-act plays from the Yiddish (1923).pdf/39

 He tore me from their hearts—root and all—and left me alone and friendless.&emsp;(She sits down beside him and endeavors to soothe him. Her eyes fill with tears.)&emsp;All marvel at my songs—wonder at the deep melancholy which I have poured into them! I have become famed for my melancholy, but no one suspects that the pains are my own pains—my own suffering—my friendlessness…

Moshele, do not think about it any more. You’ll see, you will make up with the bobbe’she and you will be with us once more.

She will not forgive me! She will send me away again. Here, father will always be master! In every corner you can feel his spirit. I am a stranger here, disowned forever.

No. She will take you back. You will once more be her beloved, her beautiful boy, as she always called you. We will all be very tender with you. You will see—as it was before with your sorrow, so you will now become renowned for your joyous singing. From now on the world will rejoice in the irresistible joy which will pour forth from your every verse. We will…

(While she speaks, he nestles closer to her and his face grows as serenely calm as a child’s when its mother lulls it to rest. A light cough is heard from the other room and the shuffling of old feet, too